The name Trail of Tears will ring a bell by most of the metal fans around
the globe. Since singer Helena Iren Michaelsen left the band some years
ago, many people wondered if she would return to the metal scene at all.
Therefore it's not a big surprise that a lot of metal heads showed a big
smile on their face when they heard the news about her new band IMPERIA.
Imperia can be defined as an Atmospheric Metal band with strong opera
influences.
Anybody who has heard her previous recordings (in the aforementioned
Trail of Tears, but also the project Black Horizon) will perfectly
understand that this genre fits perfectly well to her strong and emotional
voice.
Helena collected some fine musicians around her who have build up their
skills by playing in various bands for years.
Name: Jan "Orkki" Yrlund

Has played with the following bands and on these recordings:
Trail Of Tears: (When Silence Cries demo '97), Trail Of Tears: Disclosure In Red (CD '98), Trail Of Tears: Profoundemonium (CD '00), Black Horizon: Infinity Of Chaos (CD '02)

Other bands / Projects: Angel

Absolute highlight gig (own / other band): Dynamo Open Air. 013

Favourite bands.: The Doors, Black Sabbath, Bjork, and so many more :-).

Favourite readings: Don't even read the newspaper he he. But Donald Duck is cool while waiting at the dentist or something.

Civil life: Single and free jabbadabadu

Hates..: Rules, politics...

Likes...: Freedom, traveling, horseriding, walks in the forest, making songs and do performances of course, watching a good movie, eating wokkels he he, partying in the metal bar the Ster, dancing, diving, rafting. WINE jammie. Adventures...

Has played with the following bands:
Chemical Breath ('93-'95 and '96-'99, released two CDs "Fatal Exposure"and "Values"), B-Zark ('95-'96), D-Tribe ('96-'97), Excess Of Cruelty ('98-'00 - the CD "Under The Ivy Of Ithamar"), Battleheart ('99), Manic Movement ('00-'04 with various recordings / videoclips), Imperia ('03 -). Also has played with: Inferior, Marky Ramone and the SpeedKings, played as a session bassplayer in Dutch guitarchampionships etc....

Helena Iren Michaelsen : " Everyone has his or own package that they carry on their back and that they fill with their personal experiences. We all carry along that package throughout our lives, because that package is what makes us the person we are today. My package, my world, started in my birthplace: a very little village in a countryside region of Norway. We lived in a very big house, three flours, with a family of four children. The place was a really, really small community. Completely deserted, situated in the middle of the woods. I cannot say that I had a happy childhood. The first years of my life were filled with much pain and sorrow. There was a lot of violence in my home."Source: Lords of Metal , by FerdiLykle: Do you listen to other gothic metal bands or do you prefer different music ?Helena Iren Michaelsen : " I listen to absolutely everything. No borders. Depends on my mood. As long as it's got feeling i think it's good music. How is the response to Imperia so far? Very good!!! Of course there always are people who try to put you down, especially if you are different to what's normal, hehe. But as long as you believe in yourself and what you're doing there is a chance to come between someones dream and goals. "Source: Gothtronic, by Lykle